Software Watch - Adware Watch List

Are you about to install a software, and do you want to know how it behaves during/after installation? Here we list all softwares, those which are included in the class of Adwares. Similar softwares are categorized in the list, for ease of reference and comparison. If you wish to look-up a particular software in this list, that contains bundled components, use inbuilt search function (Ctrl+F) in your web browser.

The list is limited to free/restricted free softwares only. No commercial products will be featured here. A general idea of adware is highlighted in Adware FAQ section. Users who have contributed to the list (through their comments at the bottom of the article or in the forum thread) are accredited in Adware Guards , along with the software they have brought into Editor's notice. Participate in fighting against adware and get yourself recognized.

Users are also encouraged to post screenshots here, to validate the inclusion of softwares in the Adware Watch list. This makes life easier for us.

Note: The article will no longer be a user-editable wiki and the rights will be restricted to Gizmo's Editors only. Although, due credits will be given in the Adware Guards section for each individual.

The adware products are listed, corresponding to the category that it belongs to, in alphabetical order. The bundled components that it includes are hence separated by commas. For example:

If the installer offers to install a product, then it's named as: Recommends [product]

If the installer offers to install toolbar or other services, then its name is simply inserted - eg: Ask Toolbar

If the program offers change in homepage or default search engine its mentioned as: Offers homepage change/search engine. If a toolbar is performing this change it won't be explicity mentioned as it's understood. In that case only point [2] is mentioned.

If the installer contains OpenCandy it's always shown in the beginning as: OpenCandy

If the product shows ads for upgrading the software, or offers any other softwares within its interface, then its included in the list as: Displays [product] upgrade, Displays [software] ads .

If the product constantly shows product upgrade/other product offers during startup or during program function as a pop-up, then this title is used: Nagware

After installation, if the installer opens the web browser, to show other product recommendations or offers ads, then its included as: Browser ads [after installation/on starup/on close]

Apart from these components getting installed, they also create certain other changes. These changes won't be listed explicitly in the watch list to avoid constant duplication, except for the components.

Toolbars - Offers change in homepage, search provider and new tab address (eg: Ask Toolbar, AVG Security Toolbar). Please note that most toolbar recommendations are offered only when your default browser is IE or Firefox. So if you are testing the presence of toolbars in setup of programs, make sure your default browser is one of these.

Since this is a community driven service, your comments and suggestions are most welcome so that we can keep this list growing, and help each other to stay safe from adwares. You may post your comments below and better still, if you have got screenshots to prove and help us, post in this thread and you will be accredited in the Adware Guards section.

Please rate this article:

Comments

Hi,
I searched the site for info about Babylon (Translation software), and I didn't find much.
1. Why is there no page about Babylon?
2. Is babylon safe?
3. If not, Are there some instructions can lead us to make it safe?
Thanks in advance